Why do live sports, ticket sales, and public service launches sometimes resemble DDoS attacks? This article explores how synchronised user behaviour turns Internet traffic into a physical phenomenon that places real pressure on network infrastructure.

On 3-4 June 2026, we convened in Riga, Latvia for RIPE NCC Days Baltics. 76 participants from nine countries participated in sessions covering important topics in network operations, with a special focus on resilience for a region that has seen repeated network disruptions in recent years.